U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 2 (of 5): The Inchon-Seoul OperationMontross, Lynn
History
U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 2 (of 5): The Inchon-Seoul Operation
Montross, Lynn
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Campaigns; United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
(2) The 7th Infantry Division was to land behind the Marines
and advance on their right flank to seize the commanding ground
south of Seoul and the south bank of the river (line D-D); to
continue the advance to phase line (E-E); and to conduct a
reconnaissance in force to the south (line F-F). There, on the
line from Suwon to Kyongan-ni, the 7th Infantry Division and
1st Marine Division would form the strategic anvil as Eighth
Army forces advanced from the Pusan Perimeter in the role of
hammer.
(3) The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was to furnish air support,
air direction, and air warning for the Corps with units
operating from Kimpo Airfield. It was also to be prepared to
operate a control center ashore on order.[91]
[91] _Ibid._, v. I, III-B-8, and v. II, app. 16; O. P. Smith,
_Notes_, 48–49.
The Special Plans Staff gave General Smith a study explaining the
purposes of these maneuvers. “The B-B line in this study appeared
to be a suitable beachhead line,” he commented, “and we decided to
concentrate our efforts on plans for its seizure. Subsequent operations
would be reserved for later consideration.”[92]
[92] O. P. Smith, _Notes_, 50.
_Intelligence Planning for Inchon_
Good planning, of course, depended on accurate intelligence. All
possible information about the objective area had been gathered by the
staff of PhibGru One before the arrival of the 1st Marine Division
planners. Air Force planes had taken hundreds of photographs at every
stage of the tide. Hydrographic reports and navigation charts had been
studied. Army and Navy men familiar with Inchon during the American
occupation after World War II were interrogated as well as NKPA
prisoners captured by the Eighth Army.
Although a great deal of useful data was compiled, some disturbing
questions remained. How high were the sea walls of Inchon? Were the
mud flats suitable for landing either troops or vehicles at low tide?
Approximately how many NKPA guns were hidden on Wolmi-do?... These were
some of the intelligence gaps which must be filled before an effective
plan could be drawn up for an assault landing.
PhibGru One made its material available to the G-2 Section of the
1st Marine Division, and the two staffs worked together on the
_Mount McKinley_ in close cooperation. Attached were the 163d
Military Intelligence Service Detachment (MISD) and the 441st Counter
Intelligence Corps (CIC) Team. Both of these units had been furnished
by FECOM and consisted of Army commissioned and enlisted personnel
as well as native Koreans serving in liaison, interpretation, and
translation capacities.
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